Omaha daily bee., 1887-04-09
BELLS CONFESSION ADMITTED
Hoffman's Accomplice in the Dunbar Wreck
Tells How It Was Done.
THE STATES EVIDENCE ALL IN.
Destructive Prairie Fires Prevailing
Near Ogalalla, McCOok and stuart
"A BOY Fatally Shot at
Long Pine.
Trial or the Train wreckers.

NEBRASKA CRY, Neb., April S.-TSpecial
Telegram to the BEE.l-The trial of David
Hoffman, charged with wrecking Missouri
Pacific train at Dunbar, dragged slowly to-
day. The witnesses SO far called merely
told Of the tracks in the snow, to which
the boots OF Hoffman were fitted, a
dozen or more. One of the principal
witnesses, Mrs. Jno Hoffman, has not ar
rived although the sheriff was sent to
Nance county for her. She is the
one whose testimony the defense
fears most, as she will swear
the prisoners came in the door
the north as the defense claim. 1t
yers that Bell means to turn
states evidence, and in this manner
escape with light sentence, while Hotf-
man may have to go to the pen. From the
present outlook and the large array of wit
nesses now on hand, it is thought that the
testimony will not all be in before tomorrow
night. General Attorney Waggoner, of the
Missouri Pacific railway, assisted the prose-
cution to-day. The testimony Of the priso-
ner's brother. who resides north Of the wreck,
A greater portion of the evening was spent
in laying the foundation for the admission
OF the confession made by Dave Hoffman on
JANUARY lo 10 ETduk utu anu tNT0e OtIleT
detectives at the Grand Pacific hotel, where
they. had him from near midnight until
nearly morning. In this confession he says
that he and Bell did the work Jointly, Bell
first suggesting the crime. About o'clock
James Bell who was indicted with Hoffman
for the wrecking of the train, was brought
into court for the purpose of turning states
evidence. He said that about 10 O'Clock that
night he and Hoffman started for John HOff-
mans house; when they got to the b. q NJ.
section house Hoffman told him passenger
train would be down on the Missouri Pacific
shortly, and as they always carried money he
he had would open the section house, but it
failed, and the door was forced open, he
(BelD taking no part, Hoffman got a claw-
bar and wrench; went up the B. a N; track /;
Paeiic;. he QBelD followed; when they
got to the track Hoffman tried one point
ana the nuts would not come off the
| fish plate, so he moved to the next; Bell said
| he was drunk; set down to watch, telling
| him that If any one was killed he would 20 to
| the penitentiary; before Hoffman unlOosened
| the rail he went down into the ravine; heard
Hoffman say, There, have got it.'uThrew
| the train came in sight and he watched it
| wrecked; then run down through the brush
| and up through corntield to John Hoff-
| mans house; Dave was ahead of him all the
| wreck; he and Dave went down to assist
| what they. could; would have told before, but
was afraid OF being lynched; Dave said he
was told that he and his brother would swear
that he (BelD did it. The confession created
| considerable excitement. The prisoner sci
very calm, watching Bell while he gave his
testimony, while Bell appeared cool A
which Mrs. John Hoffman testified ais to the
| way the men came home and how they acted
| The prosecution closed their side of the case
There don't seem to be great deal of inter
| est taken in the case, and the attendance is
light There seems to be no doubt now but
what both men will be convicted of murder
TO have friends or money they will mos
| likely hang.